Barcelona
Barcelona - capital of the autonomous region of Catalonia . Port on the Mediterranean Sea , 120 km from the border of France. International Airport , the Metro . Largest industrial and commercial center of Spain. One of the most important tourist destinations of European routes . Located in the mouths of the rivers Besos and Lobregat , against the backdrop of the mountains Montjuic and Tibidabo .Location prvedeniya Olympic Games in 1992 .
As stated in one of the legends , Barcelona was founded by Hamilcar Barco - Carthaginian commander Hannibal and his father - hence the name .
For twenty -five centuries , emphasizing the high status of this ancient city , Barcelona, called Cap and Casal de Catalunya, which means the head and base of Catalonia.
Barcelona and now affects everyone who saw her for the first time , its grandeur and beauty .
It is a city famous architect Antonio Gaudi.
going on here at the turn of the XIX and XX centuries, the great master , changed the very understanding of space in architecture . His goal - friendly architecture , an imitation of a peace-loving nature, his motto - no straight lines. His creations do not fit the usual scope . Wavy, colorful sculptural forms can be found everywhere in Barcelona .This is a building on Avenue Gra - SIA : Battle house with multi- windows and ceramic tiles , and an apartment building with wrought-iron balconies, lovely and sculptures on the roof. Its undulating walls that were considered revolutionary at the time of construction of a novelty, today received recognition worldwide.
The most famous of his work - the Cathedral of the Sagrada Familia Sagrada Familia. This is a fantastic building with a tower that looked like giant stalactites , they started in 1882 under the direction of architect Francisco P. Villar became a symbol of Barcelona. In 1891 became director of operations of Gaudi.
The project was grandiose.The main basilica assumed an enormous size ( 15,000 faithful ) , and the height of the main tower was to be 170 m. At the time of his tragic and absurd death under the wheels of a tram Gaudí managed to finish the job just over one of the facades of the Cathedral ( facade of the Nativity ). After half a century facade was completed passions ( sculptor Subiraks ).There is still construction of the third - Facade of God's glory . Twelve spikes on three facades represent the 12 apostles, tower over the apse - the Virgin Mary , the central spire , still not complete , is dedicated to Christ the Saviour , and is surrounded by four smaller ones. Decorative sculptures and jewelry densely cover different parts of the Cathedral.Even the great architect was buried in the crypt of the unfinished church.
With Gaudi Barcelona is inscribed in golden letters in the history of world art.
We can not say about Park Guell Park Guell.This is a complex of buildings designed by Barcelona's order magnate who wanted to create this small town garden of 60 houses for his relatives. This project , with all buildings, staircases, viaducts , galleries and retaining walls were designed to bring together architectural plastic forms with the forms of wildlife.However, the plan was implemented only partially. The first striking a wall around the park , decorated with a mosaic of ceramic tiles. In addition to her attention is drawn to the two houses with strange- colored roofs and magnificent staircase , decorated with colored tiles and dragons.
Of the other attractions of this town is worth noting Palace of Pedralbes , built by the Council of the city to Alfonso XIII in 1925. Wrought iron gate with the dragons of Gaudi on the road leading to the palace, suggest that this site was once part of the possessions Güell . Nearby is the Monastery of Pedralbes .Its bell tower , gallery and chapel of San Miguel are great examples of Catalan Gothic.
In this city, and preserved monuments of more ancient times : the Gothic Quarter transfers to the Middle Ages , and the ruins of ancient walls reminiscent of the times of the rule of ancient Rome.
To the north of Barcelona stretches the famous Costa Brava.
Barcelona is one of the most famous capitals in the world of football . Here is a great club with the same name, who glorified his native town of his conquests. For their favorite team in the city built a football stadium Camp Nou stadium that can accommodate an audience of about 96tysyach .
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